Robert Downey Jr.: The Fall and Rise of the Comeback Kid

Mostly because all the others are just plain awful, but this is a competent, nicely done biography and the author did a respectable amount of original research.Robert Downey Jr has had a dramatic life, and you have to be real about that. Ben Falk tells the whole story--good and bad. He certainly doesn't gloss over the ugly details, but he doesn't sensationalize them either. If you don't already know his entire life story, this is a great way to learn more about an interesting personality.On the other hand, if you are a longtime, super obsessed fan, then yes, you will find a lot of stuff you already know. It starts very strong, really the best and most thorough account of his early life that I've ever found. Very enlightening and fills in a lot of holes from his childhood up through early 20s when he was 'breaking into' the entertainment industry. There are new insights and anecdotes throughout the book, but they become much less frequent once the story gets into the late 80s/early 90s. I think it's worth a read, but this wasn't written for people who already know his entire life story.It's hard to get unbiased reviews from Downey fans because many decided to hate this book before it came out, simply because it's an "unauthorized" biography. That bizarre over-protective pre-judgment of the book is both unfair and misplaced.

While not an autobiography, the author tells the story through reports and published sources

I'm just a huge fan of RDJ's who wants to know more about him and to have more pictures to look at, so it was good enough for me!

I used this book as the source for my psychological disorders research paper last semester and it was well written, very specific and very well put together. You really get to experience the life of Robert Downey jr. and how he made a come back into Hollywood.

It's surprising how someone as interesting as Robert Downey Jr. could have such a tedious, plodding biography written about him. I stopped reading about halfway through. It's dull. Maybe I'll take it up again and finish...eventually. I was disappointed early on that the book ignores mention of a favorite, underrated film in which RDJr plays a prominent role, costarring with Anthony Michael Hall--- not to mention his father, Robert Downey Sr., also appearing in a smaller but key role, 1988's "Johnny Be Good", a teen football comedy. Lack of mention of this film, in this otherwise long-winded book, makes me wonder what else the story is missing.

On-time, as described, couldn't ask for more.

I thought this book was written with Robert Downey Jr. or with his input. This book was just put together from people naming events or happenings which may or may not have happened by the author and his research. It does not confirm or deny the events so you are left wondering what is true or what is not especially since the actor had no input in the book at all. Very misleading on the author's part and I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Since page one I was already turned off. I went on three more pages and abandoned the book. Now I'm reading "The Time Traveler's Wife".

My partner and i are both fans of RDJ, mine came after grudgingly watching the first Iron man movie on my partners recommendation. I had always found RDJ to be a very outladish man but upon watching the film my view of him completely changed and i wanted to find out more, i bought this going by the previous reviews that were left. i never realised what a struggle this man had throughout his life and i am really looking forward to passing this book onto my fella to read. Very happy with this purchase, great for fans wanting to know more.

A meticulously crafted biography with details in all the right places and a book which also manages to be a really gripping read. I'm a long-time fan of Mr Downey Jr. but only really knew a broad sketch of his life until I picked up this book. Mr Falk has done a great job tracking down some enthralling stories and the result is that you get a really strong flavour of the man himself. Recommended to any film fan!

bought for my daughter.as robert downey jnr is her favorite actor.good book about his life and times.liked it very good.

Amazing how Robert Downey Junior turned his life around and to learn about the journey he's taken to get there. I will watch the films with renewed interest - he's worthy of a movie about himself.

disappointed